Letter: Opting out of giving personal details is not as easy as it seems

I rang the electoral roll office at Shirehall to ask why my details had suddenly popped up despite my desire to have them withheld.

The conversation that ensued was quite an eye-opener.

I was told that I had not ticked the opt-out box. The man went on to say that it was rather easy to miss the box because, due to government legislation in the last two years, they are no longer allowed to put any explanation on the electoral form as to what opting out means. There is simply a box saying 'Opt Out. The man went on to say he got quite a few calls like mine.

He very kindly told me that if I wanted to opt out on a permanent basis, I needed to write to him.

I asked why this was not explained on the form and again it was explained that they are not allowed to now put anything about opting out on the form.

I have pondered as to why this step has been taken as it would be so simple to put a full explanation to allow people to understand what opting out means.

On further discussion, I found out that they pass all the electoral details to credit checking agencies. I assumed that if I opted out my details would not be on that list, but no – everyone's details are passed on, but opted people are highlighted.

Is it any wonder that more and more people are reluctant to get onto the electoral roll in the first place as there simply is no way of knowing who is getting your details.

I spent quite some time talking to the man who agreed with me that it's not ideal.

Of course they are adhering to all the rules and regs that are passed from Government – that's not my purpose of writing.

It is to inform people exactly what is happening to their details and how widely available they are on the internet – take a little time to look for your own details its an eye-opener! If you want to have your details on the opted-out list, write to the Elections Officer, Shirehall, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, SY2 6ND.

H Edge

Whitchurch